You may be aware that there’s no deferral for blood donors after they receive a vaccine against COVID-19. But you might be wondering how the blood operators made this decision. Canadian Blood Services' medical director for donor and clinical services, Dr. Mindy Goldman, answers questions.

A study conducted by researchers in the University of Toronto QUEST program, a research collaborative supported by Canadian Blood Services, looked at what can be done to reduce the number of inappropriate red blood cell transfusions in hospitals.

With an anticipated global shortage of immune globulin products, finding alternatives to IVIg can help improve availability of a drug in high demand. A recent study shows that eltrombopag, an oral medication that stimulates the production of platelets, is an effective alternative to IVIg for patients with immune thrombocytopenia who need surgery.

The Intramural Research Grant Program, one of the Centre for Innovation’s most responsive and impactful research funding programs, and the Kenneth J. Fyke Program, which supports health services and policy research, are both open for applications.

Dr. Devine will bring roles together to bridge discoveries into better care

Dr. Celina Montemayor-Garcia is a researcher and transfusion medicine specialist whose main interest is understanding how genomics and bioinformatics can be used to improve care for transfusion patients. She spoke to us about advances in precision medicine and genomics, and what they could mean for the future of blood systems.

Blood plasma-derived IVIg holds promise as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. A new study suggests that combining IVIg with a new drug delivery technique that helps get IVIg into the brain could increase its effectiveness and help make the best use of this precious treatment.

What a year 2020 has been! Take a look back with us by checking out the five most visited R.E.D. blog posts in 2020.

The Centre for Blood Research’s 2020 Earl W. Davie Symposium marked the first since Dr. Davie’s passing in June. Read on to hear Kristine Ho, the Centre for Blood Research’s communication coordinator, reflect on this year’s symposium.

The Centre for Innovation is the heart of Canadian Blood Services’ research and development activities. Its latest annual report, covering the fiscal year 2019-2020, is now available on blood.ca.